We see the establishment of the role of the steward of the household and papacy in the readings this weekend. God entrusts great responsibility to those whom He calls.
In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah speaks of Eliakim, who is given authority over the house of David. He receives the “key” as a sign of responsibility to open and to close, to care for God’s people and to exercise his authority faithfully. In the Gospel, Jesus uses this same imagery when He gives Peter the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. Peter is not chosen because he is perfect or because he will never make mistakes. He is chosen because God sees in him the faith and willingness through which He can build His Church. We see the keys don’t make someone king, but steward. We see that it is an office to be handed down.
At the heart of the Gospel is a question that Jesus continues to ask every one of us: “Who do you say that I am?” It is not enough to know what other people say about Jesus. Our faith must become personal. Peter answers, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” That confession of faith is the foundation of discipleship. Each of us has been entrusted with a particular responsibility in the Church and in the world. We may sometimes feel inadequate, as Peter surely did, but God does not call the perfect; He calls ordinary people and gives them the grace to do extraordinary things. May we have the courage to profess our faith in Jesus Christ and, like Peter, allow Him to use our lives as instruments for building His Church.
School is in full swing! How exciting to have all the kids back at St. Francis, at QND, and at QU. Tons of energy and excitement all around us. Please always be welcoming and hospitable to our QU students and any visitor. Pray for a successful year.
Father Arisman